"If Labor was serious about providing an MRI to the community, it would have provided for the community during its six years in government rather than a last minute commitment in the context of the last federal election," Mr Dutton wrote.

"As you know, the government has inherited an enormous debt and policy priorities will be considered within this context and any additional expenditure will be considered when it is responsible to do so."

He added while the Commonwealth provides funding, the purchase of MRI equipment in public hospitals is a state government responsibility.

Mr Husic hit back at Mr Dutton's claims last week.

"The minister is plain wrong when he says this was a Labor election commitment," he said.

"It was budgeted for prior to the election and was an official government decision. The MRI at Mount Druitt Hospital was part of $500 million worth of callous health sector cuts by the Coalition soon after it come into government. This is an embarrassing, politically-driven response from a minister of the crown to a pressing issue for this community and some four months after it was sent to him."